CURRENT EVENTS

Peter Tork

Monkees bassist and singer Peter Tork, who played with the group from their earliest days as a made-for-TV band in the sixties through their recent reunion tours, died Thursday of unknown causes. He was 77. Tork’s sister, Anne Thorkelson confirmed the affable musician’s death to The Washington Post.

“I am told he slipped away peacefully,” his Monkee band mate Michael Nesmith said in a statement. “Yet, as I write this my tears are awash, and my heart is broken. Even though I am clinging to the idea that we all continue, the pain that attends these passings has no cure.” (Source: RollingStone)

BOOK OF THE WEEK

What Reading Can Do For You

MOVIE OR TV SHOW OF THE WEEK

Sherlock Holmes

Starring Jeremy Brett

I’ve seen about every film portrayal of Sherlock Holmes and Jeremy Brett’s performance rivals that of Basil Rathbone’s performances. 

Sherlock Holmes is the overall title given to the series of Sherlock Holmes adaptations produced by the British television company Granada Television between 1984 and 1994.

The series was broadcast on the ITV network in the UK and starred Jeremy Brett as the famous detective. His portrayal remains very popular and is accepted by some as the definitive on-screen version of Sherlock Holmes.

In addition, Holmes’s faithful friend and companion Dr. Watson is portrayed as the kind of thoroughly competent sidekick that Holmes would want. Initially, Watson was portrayed by David Burke. Burke appeared in the first year of the Adventures series before leaving to join the Royal Shakespeare Company. He was replaced by Edward Hardwicke, (who played Watson for the remainder of the run.

Of the 60 Holmes stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, 42 were adapted in the series spanning 36 one-hour episodes and five feature-length specials. (The elements of two stories were combined in one episode, accounting for the different numbers.) (Source: Wikipedia)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

If I recall correctly, The Monkees had a tv show that aired on Saturday mornings. I was working midnights in a factory and when I got home Saturday morning from work, I made sure to watch their show.

I’m A Believer

By The Monkees

ART OF THE WEEK

Tired Buddha

I really don’t know the name of this work of art or who created it, so I went ahead and named it Tired Buddha.

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSONS OF THE WEEK

Cab Calloway & Nicholas Brothers

Jumpin Jive

Fred Astaire said it was ‘the greatest dancing he had ever seen on film’. In a dance performance for the ages, the Nicholas Brothers, Fayard (1914–2006) and Harold (1921–2000), dazzled audiences with their acrobatic routine to Cab Calloway’s hit song, Jumpin’ Jive. Not only that, but the routine was unrehearsed and what you see was the first take!

The performance was from the 1943 musical film, Stormy Weather. In 2001, Stormy Weather was selected for the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” (Source: Twisted Sifter)

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

PHYSICAL TRAITS

I have a hunch Martina Navratilova would approve of Iron.

“Whoever said, ‘It’s not whether you win or lose that counts,’

probably lost”

Source: Martina Navratilova

CHARACTER TRAITS

SOCIAL TRAITS 

LEARNING TRAITS

I think most of us who are on Facebook have received so many requests promising this or that, if we would just forward the message within a certain time frame. To the best of my knowledge, the following it the only message of that type, which has actually delivered.

MISCELLANEOUS 

Here is proof that you English teacher was correct about the importance of punctuation.

LAST WEEK’S POLLS

CURRENT EVENTS

BOOK OF THE WEEK

The 30-Day Plan to Whip Your Career Into Submission

By Karen Salmansohn

I read this book back in 1999 and I have reviewed it periodically ever since and even today it still stands the test of time. It is also a fun and easy to read book. 

Feeling enslaved by pointless meetings, overflowing “in” boxes, and endless phone calls? Shackled by mindless busy work and jealous colleagues that keep you from landing the corner office and the recognition you deserve? If so, now is the time to break free from the chains of job slavery and whip your career into submission!

In this frank and witty rescue manual, Karen Salmansohn–the highly successful, award-winning advertising veteran of corporate wars is on a mission to liberate you.  For everyone who is into S&M (Success and Money, that is), Whip Your Career Into Submission offers an easy-to-follow, 30-day plan for taking control of your career–instead of letting circumstances take control of you.  (Source: Goodreads)

MOVIE OR TV SHOW OF THE WEEK

Isn’t It Romantic

This is the film we saw on Valentine’s Day. Perhaps, not an award-winning film, but at least it was entertaining.

Take a minute to watch this trailer and see what you think.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

This song was featured in Isn’t It Romantic, and I remembered how much I liked it. I hope you also like it.

A Thousand Miles

By Vanessa Carlton

ART OF THE WEEK

It never fails to amaze me how creative people can be.

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

Rene Descartes

René Descartes (31 March 1596 – 11 February 1650) was a French philosopher, mathematician, and scientist. A native of the Kingdom of France, he spent about 20 years (1629–49) of his life in the Dutch Republic.  He is generally considered one of the most notable intellectual figures of the Dutch Golden Age.

Descartes’ Meditations on First Philosophy (1641) continues to be a standard text at most university philosophy departments. Descartes’ influence in mathematics is equally apparent; the Cartesian coordinate system was named after him. He is credited as the father of analytical geometry, the bridge between algebra and geometry, used in the discovery of infinitesimal calculus and analysis. Descartes was also one of the key figures in the Scientific Revolution.

Descartes refused to accept the authority of previous philosophers. He frequently set his views apart from those of his predecessors. In the opening section of the Passions of the Soul, an early modern treatise on emotions, Descartes goes so far as to assert that he will write on this topic “as if no one had written on these matters before”. His best known philosophical statement is “I think, therefore I am” (Source: Wikipedia)

I think; therefore I am – A statement by the seventeenth-century French philosopher René Descartes. “I think; therefore I am” was the end of the search Descartes conducted for a statement that could not be doubted. He found that he could not doubt that he himself existed, as he was the one doing the doubting in the first place. In Latin (the language in which Descartes wrote), the phrase is “Cogito, ergo sum.” (Source: Dictionary.com)

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Because of the way, the human body is made, one area of the body can have an impact on different parts of the body. For example, take the mouth and teeth. If you have problem with your teeth and gum, this can pose problems with other areas. Poor oral hygiene can lead to problems with diabetes, heart disease and other health issues. (Source: American Dental Center)

Here is tip on how to take care of your teeth.

CHARACTER TRAITS

SOCIAL TRAITS 

Painful?

LEARNING TRAITS

MISCELLANEOUS 

If you dog isn’t a regular reader of this blog, you may want to show your dog this.

LAST WEEK’S POLLS

CURRENT EVENTS

BOOK OF THE WEEK

Simplify Your Workday

By Barbara Hemphill & Pamela Quinn Gibbard

This book came out in 1998.  I read it many years ago and every so often I review the sections I highlighted. I still think it is a fantastic book and so easy to read. I wish I had written it.

Offers advice on managing time, streamlining one’s work routine, organizing one’s office, utilizing technology, handling stress, and working at home (Source: Amazon)

MOVIE OR TV SHOW OF THE WEEK

What Men Want

I just saw this film and it certainly isn’t a great film, but it is entertaining and has some nice messages.

Take a minute to watch this trailer and see what you think.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Normally, I discourage addictions. But since Valentine’s Day is coming up, you  may as well face it; you are:

Addicted to Love

By Robert Palmer

ART OF THE WEEK

The Lovers

By René Magritte

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

Cupid

In classical mythology, Cupid is the god of desire, erotic love, attraction and affection. He is often portrayed as the son of the love goddess Venus and the war-god Mars.

His Greek counterpart is Eros. Although Eros is generally portrayed as a slender winged youth in Classical Greek art, during the Hellenistic period, he was increasingly portrayed as a chubby boy. During this time, his iconography acquired the bow and arrow that represent his source of power: a person, or even a deity, who is shot by Cupid’s arrow is filled with uncontrollable desire.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

Well, 50 euros is a lot of money.

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Please don’t let drugs and alcohol destroy your life, like it did this great actor.

CHARACTER TRAITS

I understand what Trent is saying and I believe it is true for the majority of us, but it is certainly more challenging for a few people.

SOCIAL TRAITS 

LEARNING TRAITS

There are some people who never learn this, please don’t be one of them.

MISCELLANEOUS 

Just in case you ever start thinking to highly of yourself, remember this.

LAST WEEK’S POLLS

BOOK 

Warning:  This book will not change your life, only you can do that.

CURRENT EVENTS

BOOK OF THE WEEK

Rich Dad Poor Dad

By Robert T. Kiyosaki with Sharon L. Lechter C.P.A.

This book came out in 1997. I feel it is as relevant today as it was decades ago. Like so many things, I don’t agree with everything in this book, but it does present things that you should think about.

Robert Kiyosaki reveals how he developed his unique economic perspective from his two fathers: his real father, who was highly educated but fiscally poor; and the father of his best friend – an eighth-grade drop-out who became a self-made multi-millionaire.

This book lays out his philosophy and aims to open readers eyes by: exploding the myth that you need to earn a high income to be rich; challenging the belief that your house is an asset; showing parents why they can’t rely on schools to teach their children about money; defining once and for all an asset versus a liability; and explaining what to teach your children about money for their future financial success. (Source: thrifbooks)

MOVIE OR TV SHOW OF THE WEEK

Kim’s Convenience

I am now watching season three of this delightful Canadian (CBC) sitcom.

Take a minute to watch this trailer and see what you think.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

I think this country western song has a few years on it, but I still enjoy watching this video.  Some of you will also and some of you will think it is terrible.  That is the way of things that aren’t bland. 

Save a Horse

By Big & Rich

ART OF THE WEEK

I can’t believe I actually own this painting.  I saw it in Metro Times and went to the gallery displaying the painting. I had no idea at the time, I would be able to buy it; I just went to see it in person.  As it turned, I was talking to the gallery about how much I liked it and they sold it to me.

Some Days I Remember Some Things I Forget

By Kurt Halsey

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

Lucy Liu

Lucy Liu (born December 2, 1968) is an American actress, who became known for playing the role of the vicious and ill-mannered Ling Woo in the television series Ally McBeal (1998–2002), for which she was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series and a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series.

Liu’s film work includes starring as one of the heroines (Alex Munday) in Charlie’s Angels (2000), portraying O-Ishii in Kill Bill (2003).

She is currently co-starring in the Sherlock Holmes–inspired crime drama series Elementary as Joan Watson for which she won the Seoul International Drama Award for Best Actress.

Lucy Liu was born on December 2, 1968, in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York City, New York. She is the youngest of three children born to Cecilia, who worked as a biochemist, and Tom Liu, a trained civil engineer. Liu’s parents originally came from Beijing and Shanghai and immigrated to Taiwan as adults before meeting in New York. She has an older brother, Alex, and an older sister, Jenny. 

Liu has stated that she grew up in a diverse neighborhood. She learned to speak Mandarin at home and began studying English when she was 5. She studied the martial art kali-eskrima-silat as a hobby when she was young.

She enrolled at New York University and transferred to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Liu earned a bachelor’s degree in Asian languages and cultures. Liu worked as a waitress at the Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase club circa 1988–89. (Source: Wikipedia)

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

PHYSICAL TRAITS

CHARACTER TRAITS

SOCIAL TRAITS 

Caution:  Any of you single guys who are going to be in Paris, need to be aware of this.

LEARNING TRAITS

I have heard it said, that most people are about as happy as they wish to be.

MISCELLANEOUS 

Just in case you didn’t know.

LAST WEEK’S POLLS

BOOK 

Warning:  This book will not change your life, only you can do that.